Keynote Address on Indian economy by High Commissioner in Brunei Darussalam at Power Lunch, Malay Chamber of Commerce, 07th March 2018

High Commissioner Smt. Nagma M Mallick with H.E. Dato Haji Ali bin Apong, Minister for Primary Resources and Tourism, Government of Brunei Darussalam, and Dr. Haji Kamaruddin, President of the Brunei Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with two young entrepreneurs at the Power Lunch event on 07th March 2018.

High Commissioner Smt. Nagma M Mallick delivered the Keynote Address on the Indian economy to the members of the Brunei Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 7th March 2018. Mr. Haji Ali bin Apong, Minister for Primary Resources and Tourism of the Government of Brunei Darussalam was the Chief Guest. Mr. Haji Kamaruddin, the President of the Malay Chamber, in his opening remarks, felicitated India on being the fastest-growing large economy in the world.

2. In her presentation, after giving a comprehensive overview of the Indian economy, including the possibilities for investment and the ease of doing business thanks to the reforms of the past three years, she focused on two additional areas: the digitalization project in India and examining some reasons why India is and will continue to be a bright spot in the world economy. She touched upon the 1.1 billion cell phone connections in India, Aadhaar or UIDAI, the exponential increase in digital payments as well as the 300 million new bank accounts for the poor and unbanked. She elaborated on how the largest digital infrastructure in the world was in the process of being created in India, which was bringing development and education to its people and increasing transparency in the economic system. She ended her presentation by highlighting the areas in which India-Brunei bilateral trade and investment could be expanded. The presentation was received warmly.

3. There was a good turnout of over a hundred persons from the local business community and several members of the diplomatic corps.